LAST DAY TO REGISTER!

Brothers-

We’ve reached the VERY LAST DAY! Convention registration is all over tonight at midnight!

We’ve heard some speculation recently about the availability of general sessions to non-registrants of the Convention – especially regarding the Ritual. Check out a clip from an email Ryan sent out earlier today that clears that up:

The Myth that You Don’t Have to Register to Come to Convention
It has also come to my attention that there is a false rumor circulating that the general sessions of the Convention are FREE and you do not have to register to attend them. This is not true, and I am deeply concerned that some brothers may arrive in Orlando falsely believing they can attend sessions like the Ritual, the Opening Ceremonies, and the band/chorus concert. We will be checking registration status at EVERY event, and brothers who are not registered that day’s events will not be allowed entrance.

As a brother, I certainly wish we could throw a free convention, but of course that is financially impossible. Many brothers who’ve already registered are going to great personal financial sacrifice to attend, and each for his own reasons. To allow entrance brothers who did not pay to be there would be highly unfair to those who did. I hope everyone understands.

So there it is – if you want to be part of the magic, you must register! Today is the last day! Visit http://convention.sinfonia.org today!

We can’t wait to see you in Orlando!

Well, the reasons I registered. I’ve now been to Lyrecrest 4 times with my chapter, and each time was a new experience that I feel helped me grow as a brother and as a human being. 3 years ago a few brothers from my chapter went to the last National Convo, and they brought back many fond memories and a recomittment to the fraternity and its ideals. I promised myself afterwards that I would make going to this convention a priority, even though I’ve been an alumnus for 2 years now. After talking to the chapter, we now have 3 brothers going and that will make it more enjoyable, as I will have someone else to reflect on the experience with.

Be sure to get registered ASAP! Registration closes in ten short days – get on board today! http://convention.sinfonia.org/registration

World-famous Leadership Institute 2007 Water-Balloon Catcher (MIDWEST) Kevin Calavan had this to say about the reasons he’s coming to the National Convention:

“I did not hesitate when came to registering for convention. No matter where I would be this summer, what I was doing, how much money I would have, I knew that National Convention would a definte plan for my summer break. Obviously, there are many reasons for this – my past experience at the 2006 National Convention and other national events, the opportunity to travel to Orlando, and to end my term as a collegiate member with a bang. But the most outstanding reason for me to register for National Convention, is the idea of experiencing the entire thing with my fellow chapter brothers. I don’t think anyone can have as good of an experience at Natinoal Convention without their fellow chapter brothers – those who brought them into Sinfonia and are responsible for their Sinfonian experience thus far.”

Check out this great shot of Kevin catching the winning water balloon in 2007, and be sure to register for the Convention at http://convention.sinfonia.org!

Sean let me know the reasons he registered for the 2009 National Convention. Here you go!

I decided to go on the trip to meet with/ and perform with other people just like me, manly musicians and musicianly men. I decided to go because of the location, FLORIDA IS AWESOME. I decided to go to meet the rock stars of Sinfonia (you included) (editor’s note: I am not a rock star of Sinfonia). I decided to go to get a chance to meet you guys and others face to face and who knows, maybe get a chance to be one of you in the future!!!

Time is running out brothers! Only 20 days left to lock in your registration to the largest Sinfonia National Event ever! Check out http://convention.sinfonia.org/register today to get on board!

Giancarlos had some cool things to say about his reasons for attending the Convention. Check it out:

I registered for Convention for several reasons. First of all, I got to experience my first province workshop (Province 9) which my chapter (Pi Chi) hosted. I thought it was a fantastic event and really motivated me to work even harder for the fraternity. I also am very excited about the new version of the ritual that will be voted on this summer. I’ve devoted myself to making sure our chapter’s rituals run smoothly and according the the ritual books. Another reason I wanted to go is because I am transferring to another chapter (Gamma Pi) in the fall. This chapter is newer (they were just rechartered in November), and I feel that I can contribute to the chapter’s growth and development. Going to this convention can help strengthen the Sinfonian spirit in me. I also registered because I just felt like it was something I should do. I was drawn to this great fraternity last spring, and, ever since joining, I have educated myself as much as possible and have participated in as much as possible in my chapter. Finally, I can’t wait to play in the wind ensemble under the baton of Dr. Frank Tichelli himself and to be part of his initiation!

We hope to see you in Orlando brothers! Check out http://convention.sinfonia.org/register for the details!

Check out this message from Ben Cunningham, Epsilon Nu (Jacksonville State) ‘95, talking about why he’s coming to the 2009 National Convention.

I decided to attend to continue what has been for me a period of increasing involvement with the fraternity. I sometimes feel I didn’t get as much out of Sinfonia as I could have during college. I’ve realized in the last couple of years that I have the financial resources and the time to be much more active as an alumnus. Add to that the fact that the fraternity has an explicit goal of strengthening alumni engagement, and it’s a simple choice. In short, I’ve always wanted to attend, I have the resources, and the fraternity wants me to be there.

Come meet Ben and all the rest of the brothers in Orlando, Florida at the 2009 National Convention. Check out http://convention.sinfonia.org for all of the details!

Brothers-

I’m pleased to announce that the schedule of the 2009 National Convention has been published! Check out http://convention.sinfonia.org/magic for all of the details.

Brothers-

In recent days, especially following the closing of Convention Regular Registration, I’ve had a lot of questions about how we did – where we ended up. I’ve been deflecting – “That information is confidential,” since then, but I’m extraordinarily pleased to inform you that we’ve now surpassed a very important milestone.

I can say with confidence that the 2009 National Convention will be the largest national event in the Fraternity’s history! If you were at the 2006 National Convention, then you know – singing in a choir that large, having the opportunity to fellowship with a group of brothers that big, and sharing memorable experiences with brothers and new friends that inspiring is an experience that is absolutely not to be missed!

Are you on the outside looking in? Do you want to become a part of what will be the largest national event the Fraternity has ever had? Come join us in Orlando for what promises to be a most epic and unforgettable experience!

In the days before Late Registration ends (June 15), I’ll be sharing more explanations from brothers *just like you* about why they chose to register for the biggest national event ever! Look for the first one next Monday.

I can’t wait to see you in Orlando!

-Jeremy

Brothers, here’s the full text of the essay from Andrew Tremblay, Xi Mu (Delaware) ‘07, talking about why he’s attending the Convention. There’s still time to register!

In the fall of 2007, I was initiated as a proud new brother of the Xi Mu Chapter at the University of Delaware. In my four semesters as a brother, I’ve experienced Sinfonia in some really cool ways with the guys here. I’ve been very happy with my collegiate experience and, until recently, hadn’t taken the opportunity to venture outside my home chapter.

The first province event that I ever attended was Province 27’s 2009 Winter Leadership Retreat. At the event, I really began to see Sinfonia as something bigger. One of the articles we were given to read at the retreat was “Sinfonia: Molding Commitment into a National Force.” The article references an interesting quote from Wilson Pile who, nearly one hundred years ago – in 1910, said: “At first to think of Sinfonia was to think of the home chapter. Very few of the brothers knew any of the men, customs, or plans of other chapters. This is all very different now. Visitors from chapter to chapter, the long tours of the Supreme President, and most of all, the annual convention, have knit us all together into one large family.”

Just last week, I had the unique opportunity to visit Lyrecrest for the first time. What an incredible experience. Myself and seven other brothers from Xi Mu took a road trip from Newark, DE to Evansville, IN and had an amazing retreat there. To break up the long trips to and from Evansville, we decided to stop in at other chapters along the drive. We got the chance to meet brothers at Zeta Eta (Marshall University), Xi Lambda (Northern Kentucky University), and Delta Eta (Youngstown State University).

At each chapter, it seemed that as soon as we exchanged the grip with the brothers, we immediately picked up as if we had known each other for years. The way that each brother opened his arms to us demonstrated to me that brotherhood extends far beyond the guys you pledged with or attend weekly meetings with. These adventures only strengthened my desire to experience Sinfonia in new and bigger ways.

To see the spirit of brotherhood and the work of Sinfonia on a national level has been nothing short of thrilling. And so I cannot even begin to describe how pumped I am for this summer’s National Convention. Beyond a few really neat highlights, I barely know what the four days have in store for me. I’m just excited to see Sinfonia in this new way.

I think Percy Jewett Burrell described what I’m trying to say best when he wrote “How it Feels to Miss a Convention,” after he was unable to attend the 1915 Convention in Cincinnati: “It is that indescribable ’something’ which keeps any fraternity alive… to meet and mingle and measure up side by side with brothers from everywhere, bound by a common bond which no geographical line can sever.”

I want to close by sharing just one more quote, this one from John Mongiovi in an article about our sacred ritual: “There are certain experiences that we undergo which, positive or negative, have deep significance beyond the common occurrences of our daily lives. When two or more individuals share such an experience they are bound together by a mystic tie that transcends mere friendship. They can attempt to put the experience into words, but the bond based on that experience and the intensity of feeling can never be conveyed… The fact that so many men, despite separations of time and geography, undergo this identical experience binds all Sinfonians together, just as the members of a probationary class or chapter are bound together by their own common experiences.”

We have all had fantastic experiences with the brothers at our respective home chapters, and there is nothing that can replace the daily interaction that happens there. But, as I’m learning, the power of Sinfonia does reach farther. Whether from Delaware, Mississippi, Kansas, or California, we all share an exalted experience as brothers of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. This summer, we have a unique opportunity to get together, the New Boys and the Old Boys, rejoice in our exalted experience, and live out that bond with literally hundreds of other Sinfonians from across the country.

That’s why I’m going to National Convention.

I’m pleased to announce that due to recent technology issues at the National Headquarters, regular registration has been extended until May 8. After that time, registration fees will increase by $50, so if you’re planning to come, make sure you get registered ASAP!

More next week!

-Jeremy